What are the essentials, recommended, tools for comics, animation, etc.?

Question

specifically, what do you use, or what do the professionals use. SPECIFICALLY.

Answer 1

For art, learn to use a digital art package of some sort.  Whether you scan and manipulate, or draw with a tablet (the Bamboo is cheap, but limited, from what I hear), you really can't get in the door anymore if you rely on pencil and paper alone.  Friends of mine in the industry have started to point out that Photoshop or an equivalent system is pretty much mandatory at anything but tiny small press outfits (although if you're already a Big Name you can get away with clinging to paper and pencil).

You might want to check divalea.livejournal.com, she occasionally posts stuff about process and tools.